FPA Member Profile

What came first, sport or photography?
“Sport. My first game as a fan was Tranmere Rovers vs. Colchester United back in Coca-Cola League 1, which was when my love of football began. I can only imagine this was a form of punishment from my step-dad, but that hasn’t stopped me travelling all over the country following them as a fan. From Chester and Wrexham away days to far away mid-week play-off games down at Forest Green and Aldershot, I wouldn’t change my club for the world!

Photography came much later on in my life when I decided to combine my love of the game and love of photography together.”

First match photographed?
“My first game photographed was Heswall FC vs. Holywell FC in a friendly match. I’m pretty sure I shot on auto ISO, a shutter speed of 1/640 and f4 (despite having a 2.8 lens). I only had a Canon 200D and a Sigma 70-200mm, but this match sprung a major learning curve, and I constantly shot games at Sunday league level in order to keep gaining experience and learning how best to shoot sport.

My first professional game was Tranmere Rovers vs. Newport County, covering for their senior photographer who was away at the time. This then led to them allowing me to photograph as an assistant, which allowed me to continuously shoot a good standard of football.”

Favourite ground and why?
“Wrexham, a proper traditional football ground. For a non-league ground the floodlights are decent, and you can get some really nice shots from one end as the old Kop stand goes pitch black at night. It also offers the chance to shoot something a little bit different with the rusty stands etc. However, Tranmere’s Prenton Park has a special place for the atmosphere too. A Friday night match here can be electric, especially with how close the fans are to the pitch.”

Canon, Nikon or Sony?
“Canon. It’s all I’ve ever known and used.”

Favourite match or football related event photographed?
“This is too easy. Photographing my own side at Wembley as we won back to back promotions into League 1. Not many people get the chance to see their team win silverware under the famous arch, never-mind photograph them in the process.

After the previous 14/15 years of relegations and poor showing it felt like all the pain and heartbreak had finally been worth it.”

Biggest lesson learnt?
“No matter how good a set or image is, it can always be improved. Every set I complete I’m always looking to improve it no matter what. I could have had the best game for pictures ever, but I’ll always be critical of what I’ve sent (which is most the time as I’m always complaining about something I’ve shot).

Oh, don’t drive to a ground over an hour away and forget your monopod like I did the other day!”

Which photo included in your FPA gallery are you proudest of and why?
“Most recently I’d say the one of the Liverpool players walking out into an empty Prenton Park is one of my proudest. My own team’s ground being empty just doesn’t feel right for what are normally electric nights under the floodlights.”

How did you feel just before you photographed your first match professionally?
“Nervous. Very nervous. It was Tranmere Rovers vs. Newport County, and I had only been shooting sport for a couple of months.

My nerves where settled very quickly however, thanks to the friendly media team at Tranmere.”